I heard this one tonight for the umpteenth time..
DH and I were struggling financially for about 2 years, but work picked up and we moved to an apartment where the rent was about 1/3 less than the previous apartment. We find ourselves being able to afford small luxuries we didn't have, such as going out for a meal once or twice a month and so forth. DH got it in his head he really really really wanted an iPhone. One of the local providers was doing a special offer on them if you signed up for an 18 month contract. He got his beloved iPhone..then he felt guilty that he spoiled himself and went and bought me a Samsung Omnia II. DH will take the phone out of his pocket when he sits. Waiters and waitresses will come up and and say 'Ooo, is that an iPhone? Wish I had that kind of money'. DH works hard, he doesn't have a glamorous great paying job, it's just that we save and save. Even his friends say things like 'Oh they must be paying you too much money'. Tonight it happened again, we ran into 2 of DH's friends and they saw both our phones and one said 'oooh, must be nice to have money to throw around.' Yes it's said in jest but it makes me squirm. I didn't even ask for a darn phone, I hardly go out, LOL.
DH and I went out for a meal tonight and he went to the toilet. He left his phone with me and the waiter said 'Ohh, nice iPhone, those are expensive..' I had to say 'Oh not really, they were on offer about a month ago and he got a special price for signing up a new contract with the company' It's true..though but it's kind of embarrassing to be singled out like that. We're definitely not rich people, far from it. We hardly buy anything unless it's a necessity so it's ok to splash out on a treat every now and again. What's all that hard work for if you can't enjoy it sometimes?